Avatar
Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
DW serial number madness?
Avatar
SCORPIO
PA

Supporter

Range Officer
Members


Moderators


DWF Supporters


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 4017
Member Since:
December 4, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
March 23, 2012 - 8:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Just acquired a VERY nice 740 from a member here.  A friend has one basically identical to it, both are Monson guns, both are 740s, both have the 8" slotted BA.  His serial number starts out S000XXX, mine starts out 357SM000XXX.  Is there any rhym or reason to how Dan Wesson settled on a numbering scheme?  We were comparing the two and they are twins, except for this numbering difference.  BTW, they are only about 70 numbers apart in terms of the actual serial number so I assume they were made at approximately the same time.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

My father

If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.

My grandfather

Avatar
Steve
Member

Dans Club
Forum Posts: 10330
Member Since:
March 2, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
March 23, 2012 - 9:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I think both CF and LB have done some work on the Serial Numbering practices that Dan Wesson seems to have used, but this is not an exact science.

One possible reason for the irregularity you are seeing is that in 1983 Dan Wesson Arms re-organized as Wesson Firearms, still in family ownership and produced in Monson. I think it is possible that the serial numbering changed at that time to differentiate the products of a different company. Again, this is a guess on my part, but I think that some Dan Wesson Arms frames might have been re-numbered to make the the product of the "new"company.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

Avatar
lonwolf93
Lancaster Pa
Member
Members


Dans Club


DWF Supporters
Forum Posts: 1572
Member Since:
April 20, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
March 24, 2012 - 4:49 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

And where are the cool-pics  of this new acquisition, and its twin??poke

 

-Lonwolf

"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"

Avatar
lbruce
Georgia
Moderator
Members


DWF Supporters


Dans Club


Moderators
Forum Posts: 3569
Member Since:
November 17, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
March 24, 2012 - 9:01 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

The serial number thing with DW is a mystery for sure. Steve has done a great job of tracking born on dates as the info comes available, CF and I have been working on the lettering and numbering scheme but there is a lot left unknown about the whens and whys.  If we had the manufacturing dates on those two guns it would go a long way to help unravel the mystery at least the timeline part anyway. In reality though the mystery of DW is part of what has helped build this forum to be the great place that it is. Of course its the great guys that hang here that truly make it great.

LB

Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.

                                                                                                                             

Avatar
SCORPIO
PA

Supporter

Range Officer
Members


Moderators


DWF Supporters


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 4017
Member Since:
December 4, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
March 24, 2012 - 7:55 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

My father

If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.

My grandfather

Avatar
SCORPIO
PA

Supporter

Range Officer
Members


Moderators


DWF Supporters


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 4017
Member Since:
December 4, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
March 24, 2012 - 8:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

I'm having problems with text, twice I've lost it so I'll type it here.

Here are the 'twin' 740s.  Mine is on the top and is pictured in its box.  The barrel wrapper says June 1987.  Mine is 357MS0010XX and the other one is SE0010XX.  We don't know the date of manufacture of the other since he doesn't have a box or paperwork with it.

 

Now I have a dilema, my friend just told me he wants to sell the gun to get a Smith 500yell.  He is giving me first dibs if I want it. Why didn't he tell me this SOONER!  Man they do look nice together, I'm going to have to see what I can do, I'd hate to break up a family.laugh

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

My father

If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.

My grandfather

Avatar
lonwolf93
Lancaster Pa
Member
Members


Dans Club


DWF Supporters
Forum Posts: 1572
Member Since:
April 20, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
March 24, 2012 - 8:55 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Thanks for the pics Scorpio, those 2 look great! I just love the slotted 8" barrels on Supermags, they look tough! Is your friend wacko or something, he wants to sell that beautiful stainless work of art to get a 500?? Well to each his own, he will regret selling that one someday.

-Lonwolf93

"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"

Avatar
Charger Fan
Northern Utah

Supporter
Members


Moderators
Forum Posts: 11178
Member Since:
January 24, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
March 25, 2012 - 1:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

That's a bummer that he wants to sell it for a Smiff 500, hopefully you will be able to keep it in the family.goodluck

Regarding the s/n's, I am fairly certain that there is approximately a 5 year spread between those two numbers. It's a cool coincidence that the last part of the numbers are so close together. When they first started the model 40 & 740, the numbers started with "E" for blued and "SE" for stainless. For example, my blued gun is #E003925 & the barrel wrappers are dated Feb 1982. I would imagine your friend's gun was probably made very near this same time.

Steve's theory is a good one, I hope that one day we'll be able to get some solid evidence to finally be able to answer questions like this with certainty. As LB said, it's good folks here that help make this a great place to be! laugh

Thanks for showing them off, they do look good together.drool

Avatar
Jody
Salem, Virginia
Admin
Forum Posts: 6206
Member Since:
January 22, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
March 26, 2012 - 9:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I certainly would not to a trade my 740 for a 500 Mag but hey I'm a Dan Fan what can I say! 

cool

 
Avatar
SCORPIO
PA

Supporter

Range Officer
Members


Moderators


DWF Supporters


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 4017
Member Since:
December 4, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
March 30, 2012 - 8:21 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

My friend just asked me a loaded question, he wants to know what I think his gun is worth.  I'm not sure how to answer that one.  Is he asking what I would offer him for it or what I think he should expect to BE offered for it from a gun shop?  I don't really NEED it so that would affect what I would offer, and I have no idea what a shop is likely to offer, afterall, they want to turn a profit when they sell it.  How would you guys answer?

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

My father

If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.

My grandfather

Avatar
Steve
Member

Dans Club
Forum Posts: 10330
Member Since:
March 2, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
March 30, 2012 - 9:52 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

He's your friend, tell him straight up what it would be worth to you, tell him what you think it might bring on the open market.Remind him to think about the costs that might go with selling it on the open market. Shipping and transfer costs added $80 to the last gun I sold, and fortunately there were no auction fees and premiums involved.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

Avatar
SCORPIO
PA

Supporter

Range Officer
Members


Moderators


DWF Supporters


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 4017
Member Since:
December 4, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
March 31, 2012 - 5:32 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Well my friend is a bit ticked off.  He told me that he took the gun to a big box sporting goods store that also sells Smith 500s, and they told him that they would give him $375 on trade towards a new 500 mag.  He left without a 500.  He tried a few smaller shops and got offers ranging from $350-$425.  That is why he asked me what I thought it was worth.  I told him I thought those were low ball offers since they want to make a tidy profit when they sell the gun.

I told him I'd don't really need the gun but don't let it go for $425 without talking to me first.

I think I may be opening an orphanage for unwanted Dan Wessonslol2

His gun is in excellent condition, has no box, papers or spare barrel tube but has a Hogue grip and tool.  I'd hate to see what a shop would tack on as profit, I'm betting better than 75%.  I may have to make room in the safe.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

My father

If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.

My grandfather

Avatar
lonwolf93
Lancaster Pa
Member
Members


Dans Club


DWF Supporters
Forum Posts: 1572
Member Since:
April 20, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
March 31, 2012 - 11:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Scorpio, it's understandable that your buddy is irked, those prices seem low. I think that gun shops usually try for a 50-100% markup on guns they take in trade.

   His Supermag looks very nice, if you decide not to go for it, keep me in mind,  I haven't followed prices on them so I don't know its worth but I do know $425 is low. I have several Dans but  am still Supermagless!

-Lonwolf

"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"

Avatar
Dan Fan
Member
Members


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 1235
Member Since:
October 17, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
April 1, 2012 - 2:11 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Well I think any Model 40 or 740 in very good condition should bring at least 650.00 plus ad more for extra barrel, tool, box.

Most dealers are going to go to the Blue Book which puts no value to Dan Wessons and add in the fact that a dealer will say it's an odd caliber.

If he puts it out on Gunbroker he would get enough to buy the S&W 500 he wants.

 

I just picked up a Palmer DW 740 today at my FFL.

Excellent Condition, Stainless Burris Clamp-on mount with rings, Tasco Scope, extra barrel, Hornady 357 Max 3 pc Die set. I thought 874.00 shipped was an OK buy with all the extras.

Serial# 357MS0008xx

Avatar
Steve
Member

Dans Club
Forum Posts: 10330
Member Since:
March 2, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
April 1, 2012 - 9:24 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

SCORPIO said:

Well my friend is a bit ticked off.  He told me that he took the gun to a big box sporting goods store that also sells Smith 500s, and they told him that they would give him $375 on trade towards a new 500 mag.

If it's the Big Box store I'm thinking of in PA, there is one here in CT as well. Frankly, the only time I ever asked them for a trade in value, it was so insulting that I left without saying another word. This same retailer will actually have a higher price on a used PT 1911 than on a new one that happens to be a current Weekly Special-I've seen it happen!

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 658
Currently Online: DA....64
Guest(s) 73
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Steve: 10330
SHOOTIST357: 4788
Dave_Ks: 4300
Ole Dog: 4090
Stinger: 3467
Supermagfan: 3254
zoommb: 3161
IHMSA80x80: 3014
Blacktop: 3004
brucertx: 2311
Newest Members:
Daniel Williams
Jeremy Heiser
Marion Poggas
george860@yahoo.com
amaimaneaws
Freschtil
Lavillnon
sfdyaafaasdsdFkds
phique2000
peterodin@msn.com
Forum Stats:
Groups: 11
Forums: 42
Topics: 16858
Posts: 148498

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 87
Members: 11717
Moderators: 4
Admins: 1
Administrators: Jody
Moderators: lbruce, Charger Fan, rwsem, SCORPIO